BRUNSWICK COUNTY — Two residents of Universal Health Care of Brunswick have died after contracting Covid-19, Brunswick County announced Wednesday.
The county announced the first death at the facility June 27 and the second Wednesday. Both residents were considered as having a high-risk for contracting the illness, 65 and older with underlying health conditions.
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Located in Bolivia, Universal Health Care of Brunswick currently has 36 positive cases of the virus in total, with 22 being residents. The facility has gone through three rounds of testing since an outbreak was first identified June 13. Wednesday’s death marks the county’s sixth death due to Covid-19 overall.
All six individuals that died were 65 or older; five had underlying health conditions. Two non-residents have also died from the virus after testing positive while visiting the county.
Brunswick County has 530 total positive cases as of July 1, a 44% increase from last week. The county expects more positive cases in the coming weeks due to increased public activity, relaxed social distancing behavior, social gatherings, and activity associated with the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
This brings Brunswick County’s per capita positive count to at least 40 cases per 10,000 residents, equal to New Hanover County.
“We were saddened to hear that another positive resident at the facility had passed away so suddenly, and we extend our sympathies to those affected by this loss,” Brunswick County Health Services Director Cris Harrelson said in a press release.
Residents who tested positive at the facility are isolating and staff members are wearing masks while at work, according to the county.
“We urge all our residents to continue to take this virus seriously, as our cases continue to grow among individuals of all ages or health backgrounds. We appreciate the efforts so many have taken to protect the most vulnerable in our communities and support our health care workers, but our work is far from done yet and we need everyone to take the initiative to help slow the spread,” Harrelson said in the release.
